Questions about '84's

[jaxon]

Looking at an '84 with 50,000 miles. Just looking at this point. Drove it today. When the car was started the A/C was on. The car's idle was irratic...fluctuated quite a bit upon start up. Is this normal? Believe it setttles down once it was driven a while.

Also, were the many differences in the '84, 85, 86 US models?

Jaxon

[Shaun @ Tru6]

errative idle is definitely not normal. my 84 with 220K miles has a split second stumble on start up and is then smooth. my 86 was the same way.

not too many changes between the years, minor things like steering wheels, dash venting, etc. are most notable.

[RickM]

87-89 have the G50 trans which, to most, is more desirable. Also the Chip for these years is a bit more agressive.

[BGCarrera32]

Basically, something gets better every year.

85 got central locking, better seats, 4 spoke wheel
86 got stiffer tbars and sway bars
87 got the G50 transmission (smoother shifting/better synchros)

Fluctuated idle could be from the car sitting for a long period of time on older fuel, never having the head temp sensor updated, who knows, I wouldn't panic. Have a proper PPI done at a reputable shop that should be pulling valve covers looking for busted head studs, but if the car has a verifiable 50k the head stud check probably is not necessary.

Buy the 84 if its cherry. Better to buy a nice 84 than a crap 87, G50 or not.

[n8marx]

An additional feature on '85 cars was the radio antenna integrated into the windshield.

Some other things added/changed in '86 cars:

-improved(enlarged) dash vents
-lower seat height

Incidentally, 50,000 mileage falls below the point where early valve guide failures have typivcally made themselves known. If the valve guides were the type that would fail early they usually do it by 60 - 70k miles, or so I've heard.

[jaxon]

Ah yes, I knew there was something I'd read about in the past. Valve Guides. How does this reveal itself? What are the implications? $$$$$

[geof33]

I have an 84 that has been perfect. Basically bombproof. The valve guide situation was covered extensively by Bob Anderson a few years ago in a Pano and in Excellence. There were not "lots" of the engines having the valve guide problem, but enough to make it known.

As far as start up idle goes, yes this is the same as mine. Takes about 10-20 seconds to smooth out and it's fine. This is only at cold first start up though. Not every time.

I agree with some of the statements regarding the 915 trans. However, it has been very solid for me. It certainly is "notchy" and takes some time to get used to, but works great once you learn how it functions.

If the car is clean and the right price, go with it. You won't be sorry. However, if there is an newer year car you can afford, that is at least as nice or nicer go for it. I'm a believer in getting the newest model you can afford as long as it's a good car. There are lot's of cream-puffs out there. You need to be patient, if the one your looking at isn't a cream-puff. I got lucky, mine was a total cream-puff.

Good Luck

[jaxon]

I agree with the cream-puff comment. I went with a 951 that was an 8 out of 10 a few years ago. For the additional money I 've put in I could have purchased two of them. It's a charm now, but what an effort to get it there. Patience is key in these emotional decisions.

Regards.

[kbrown]

you get the nice little "ET" third light on the 86.

[North Coast Cab]

Very solid car, speaking from experience. Get a PPI and you should be able to identify the idle problem. Mostly related to O2 sensor or incorrect mixture setting. Bothe probelms are easily fixed and only cost about $100.

JG

[callipygian911]

i have the same starting behavior on my 84, for 10-15 seconds. otherwise car idles/drives/pulls great. if this is a problem (not convinced), i suspect a new O2 sensor would do the trick. also my experience that the thing is one bombproof mamjama. 150K and still going strong. if it's straight in the body, and the ppi gives the mechanicals a thumbs up, buy the mother.

[n8marx]

The ET brake light was only on the cabs. MY '86 coupe has the center brake light mounted high INSIDE the rear window.

[n8marx]

One more thing. The erratic idle at cold start might be caused by plug wires that are past their prime. My 911 doesn't do this yet but other cars I've owned have.

[geof33]

Possible, but I don't think so. I just changed to Magnecor's and overall the engine runs better, but the cold start stutter is still the same. Even when I changed my O2 sensor a couple of years ago. It's almost like the car is stretching and yawning then fires right up with no problems at all.

[fogcity]

My '84 has been a tank.

[jaxon]

For those of you with a tail on your Carrera's. I noticed when I looked at the tail standing over it (don't get dirty on me now) there are vents. When I looked at what was inside of the vents, its looked like there was chipped paint. Under the chips it looked like the same material as you would find under the leather on a dash. Is this normal?

Hope I described it in a way that you can understand. I know the PPI will address this (if I get to that point), but thought I would ask the board.